Insect fighting


Insect fighting is a range of competitive sporting activity, commonly associated with gambling, in which insects are pitted against each other.

Background

Forms of insect fighting as spectator sport are practiced in regions of China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Some types have a long history; for example, cricket fighting is a traditional Chinese pastime that dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Originally an indulgence of emperors, cricket fighting later became popular among commoners. Beetle fighting, with such beetles as the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Xylotrupes socrates, Dorcus titanus, Goliathus, and dynastinae beetles also occurs, especially in Japan. There is also an online fan community, watching those fights in videos on different platforms.

In popular culture

Japanese Bug Fights refers to a more than 58-part video series featuring various kinds of insects, arachnids, and other creatures battling to the death in a little plastic arena. There are only two bugs to a fight and most fights end with one bug killing their opponent. In some cases, the fights end in a draw if neither bug is able to kill their opponent.